![\"fruit\"](\"https:\/\/fullmeasureofjoy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/fruit.jpg\")
<\/a>I really don\u2019t know why. It\u2019s not like fruit makes me ill. Or that I completely dislike the taste of fruit. If I have to eat fruit, I will eat it. I have even been known to order fruit in a restaurant.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
But I\u2019m not a fruit lover.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Jesus, however, is all about fruit.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
In John 15:1-17, Jesus dedicated an entire portion of teaching to fruit. In His teaching on the Vine and the Branches, Jesus mentioned nine times that we are to bear and produce fruit. Jesus also mentioned eleven times in this passage that the only way to do so is to remain in Him.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cIf a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit.\u201d<\/i> (John 15:5 \u2013 NIV) Only through Jesus can we bear fruit. And only through Jesus can we produce a great harvest of fruit and fruit that will last.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
In another teaching segment, Jesus spoke again of fruit. He mentioned in Matthew 7:20 (NIV), that good and bad are recognized by their fruit. \u201cBy their fruit you will recognize them.\u201d<\/i> When we bear good fruit by remaining in Jesus, others will know that we belong to Jesus by our fruit.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
So, what fruit are we to produce?<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Fruit of Repentance<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cProduce fruit in keeping with repentance.\u201d<\/i> (Matthew 3:8 \u2013 NIV)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Fruit of our Attitudes<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cBut the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.\u201d<\/i> \u00a0(Galatians 5:22-23 \u2013 NIV)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Fruit of the Light<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cFor the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth.\u201d<\/i> (Ephesians 5:9 \u2013 NIV)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Fruit of Righteousness<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cThis is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ\u2014to the glory and praise of God.\u201d<\/i> (Philippians 1:9-11 \u2013 NIV)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Fruit of our Deeds<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cAnd we pray this in order that you may please him in every way; bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.\u201d<\/i> (Colossians 1:10-12 \u2013 NIV)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Fruit of our Lips<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cThrough Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise\u2014the fruit of lips that confess his name.\u201d<\/i> (Hebrews 13:15 \u2013 NIV)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Fruit of Wisdom<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cBut the wisdom that comes from heaven is first pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.\u201d<\/i> (James 3:17 \u2013 NIV)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
I may not like the fruit of this world, but I certainly love the fruit of God. My desire is to bear fruit so that others might see God through me. The only way for that to occur is when I remain in Jesus and allow God\u2019s Spirit to do His powerful work in me.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
I don\u2019t have to be a gardener (good thing because I kill plants). I don\u2019t have to be a botanist (good thing because I\u2019m not good at science). I don\u2019t have to like fruit (good thing because I don\u2019t).<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
I simply must know Jesus and let Him do the work. My heart and my mind must be open to the change He desires within me. When that happens, a great harvest of fruit will be produced and others will see Jesus through me. They will know that I belong to Him.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Isn\u2019t it exciting? It can be the same for you too. If you haven\u2019t given your life to Jesus, this is the perfect day to do so. The difference Jesus can make in your life is amazing. Why not accept Him today?<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
As a Christian, you know the difference Jesus has made in your life. But how is your fruit harvest coming along? If your fruit crop seems a little skimpy, get in touch with Jesus. Remember, if you remain in Him you WILL produce fruit.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
I\u2019m thankful for the fruit Jesus produces in me. I pray that you can say the same thing.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Donna<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n